Police nab kidnappers, gun runners, recover arms across northern states
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against violent crimes with the arrest of several suspected kidnappers and arms traffickers, and the recovery of weapons across parts of the North.
According to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on April 29, 2025, the operations were carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) in collaboration with various state police commands, local hunters, and vigilante groups.
On April 25, 2025, a joint operation in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, led to the arrest of four suspected kidnappers — Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako — while they were reportedly planning an attack. The team recovered two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of live ammunition.
The operation followed earlier intelligence on a notorious kidnapping gang operating across Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna states. A subsequent raid on the gang’s hideout resulted in the arrest of six additional suspects — Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu — and the seizure of three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four magazines.
In Kaduna State, police operatives arrested Isa Ibrahim on April 17, a suspected kidnapper who reportedly relocated to the state to form a new gang after his partners were apprehended in Kwara State. That same day, two other suspects — Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji — were nabbed in Lamido village, Lere LGA, and confessed to involvement in local kidnapping operations.
Further arrests on April 18 targeted gun-running suspects. Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi were caught with two fabricated AK-47 rifles, while Ishiyaku Ali was intercepted along Kauru-Pambegua Road with two locally-made rifles and a long chain hidden in a sack.
All suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their bravery and dedication, reaffirming the Force’s commitment to public safety. He also urged citizens to support the police with timely and credible information to aid in crime prevention efforts.
